Gordonstoun - School History Gordonstoun Round Square Gordonstoun was founded in 1934 by Dr Kurt Hahn, formerly Headmaster of Salem School in southern Germany. Dr Hahn fled Germany in 1933 under threat from the Nazis for standing firm in the face of aggression. Perceiving decay in the society of the day, he aimed to foster in young people the qualities of skill, compassion, honesty, initiative, adventure and a sense of service to their fellow beings. His philosophy was based on encouraging young people to develop both as individuals and within communities. The early years With just three boys, Hahn started his school at The Doune in Rothiemurchus in September 1933, where they stayed for a short time before moving to Duffus House, owned by Sir Edward Dunbar. By April 1934 the numbers of boys at the school had increased, and Hahn signed a lease with the Gordon-Cumming family for the Gordonstoun estate. Duffus House was subsequently used as a preparatory department for the School until 1937 when the junior pupils were moved to Wester Elchies in Strathspey.

In 1947 Hahn founded Aberlour House as a Preparatory School to operate alongside Wester Elchies. Although always a separate school, it was a natural step that many Aberlour House pupils moved on to Gordonstoun at 13, as it followed the same ethos. The first few decades at Gordonstoun were far from straightforward. Challenges included: evacuation to Llandinam in Central Wales during the war a fire-ravaged Gordonstoun House on return from evacuation operating on split sites at Altyre in Forres and Gordonstoun in the 1950s the introduction of co-education in 1972 The initiative and resourcefulness of those responsible for the School's direction ensured that challenges – political, structural and organisational – were successfully overcome. Gordonstoun today Gordonstoun develops continuously. Today's School has all the facilities necessary to give it a lead in independent education in the 21st century.

Facilities added over the past 20 years include: IT Centre and campus-wide network two new boarding houses performing arts theatre and studio space sail training vessel state of the art sports complex a new dance studio and classroom complex which combines with the theatre and studio space to form the Ogstoun Drama and Dance Centre Gordonstoun took over the running of Aberlour House in 2000 and it moved into a new, purpose-built school on the Gordonstoun campus in 2004. It became the Junior School at Gordonstoun, creating a single independent educational entity for young people from the ages of 8-18 and offering the full boarding experience as well as opportunities for weekly boarding and day pupils. The Junior School stands in its own grounds and has its own identity while enjoying all the advantages of being part of the larger, parent school. This includes access to Gordonstoun’s extensive arts, sports and outdoor education facilities. The philosophy, experience and success of the two schools are merged together and developed in tandem to provide educational opportunities and a preparation for life that is widely respected both in the locality and further afield.

Our affiliation to other organisations Gordonstoun has been affiliated to standard bodies and associations in the past and is currently a member of: the Governing Bodies Association; the Boarding Schools' Association; and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Our chief affiliation is to Round Square , a worldwide association of 60 schools, committed to the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. Gordonstoun has always been a leading member of this group, which is named after the famous building on the School campus. The School is also a registered charity - Scottish charity number SC037867. In this context the School is committed to the education of young people regardless of nationality, background or financial means. The School's educational aims are reinforced by its charitable status and expectations in its development of strong links with the local community . Latest News & Alerts Gordonstoun - A Different Class During the Autumn Term of 2015 a documentary aired on Sky One following daily life at Gordonstoun. Click here to read more and watch the teaser... Gordonstoun | Scotland's Boarding Schools Co-educational boarding for 600 pupils from the ages 8 – 18.

A smooth transfer from the Junior School to the Senior School at age 13. Strong academic programme with 2012 recording the highest ever number of A-level passes. Structured support system and highly trained pastoral care staff. Rich mix of culture and languages with over 30 nationalities represented. A full programme of activities being organised at weekends and leave-outs. We are one of the few remaining boarding schools in the UK which is truly boarding, with 90% boarding in the Senior School. The Four Keys to a Gordonstoun Education Following a recent HMIe inspection the Gordonstoun curriculum was judged to be “outstanding or sector leading”. We offer each and every student a programme of study based on the modern interpretation of the vision of the School’s founder, Kurt Hahn, and what we refer to as the four keys: Internationalism, Challenge, Responsibility and Service. The school motto, Plus Est en Vous (There is more in you) is central to our ethos and underpins every aspect of the curriculum and its delivery.

Facilities The facilities on offer are unparalleled in the north of Scotland and include: A new state of the art Sports Complex with indoor playing surface, heated swimming pool, multi-gym, climbing wall, squash courts, and a floodlit Astroturf playing surface. 200 seater Performing Arts Theatre, including dance and rehearsal studios. Vibrant Music Department with recital rooms and recording studio. 80 ft Sail Training Vessel, Ocean Spirit of Moray. On-site Fire Station complete with Fire Appliances as part of the student Services programme. The iconic Round Square building after which the association of like-minded schools was named. A 600 seat Chapel for morning services and concerts. Opportunities for All Our students are challenged academically, physically and emotionally and the opportunities available to them are extensive and include: A team of dedicated and inspiring teaching staff who ensure that each individual student’s needs are met and the integrated academic curriculum is both stimulating and challenging. A range of subjects is offered to GCSE and A Level. Nearly all Sixth Form students leave Gordonstoun to follow a degree course at their chosen university, including Oxford and Cambridge. A unique outdoor education programme is delivered by a fully staffed and equipped Outdoor Education Department.

Expeditions and Seamanship play an important part in the curriculum. All Gordonstoun pupils take part in expeditions in the Scottish Highlands and sail open boats in the Moray Firth and on the School sail training vessel, Ocean Spirit of Moray, off the West Coast of Scotland. A strong international experience. Students have at least one major international opportunity at School whether on exchange to another Round Square school or on an international service project. Opportunities are also available through sporting and performing arts tours and participation in the Tall Ships Race. Providing a service to the local and wider community through membership of one of the School’s 12 rescue and community services. Training takes place every week and in some cases students are “on call” with local rescue and emergency services and they experience real emergency situations. We believe that the education programme that we offer presents students with life-shaping opportunities which result in memorable and fulfilling experiences. They leave school with more than just good exam results and are ready to make a real difference in the world. Testimonials From a week’s sailing around the North of Scotland, to building greenhouses in Peru, to being back in the classroom, a Gordonstoun education will include it all.

The prospect of entering a school far from home was something I was apprehensive about, yet the collection of a diverse mix of welcoming students, house staff (and a weekly meeting with my tutor) made the transition easy. Between the expeditions, the sailing and international project opportunities, time is provided to study and, if ever a helping hand is needed, each department runs a ‘clinic’ one night a week dedicated to students needing help with the work at hand. With all this, combined with regular tours from the music, dance and drama departments, and various sports teams, everybody leaves Gordonstoun with their own unique, life-changing education. It is an experience I would strongly recommend to anyone. Student The desire to send my 3 girls to Gordonstoun was inspired by the way in which we saw our friend’s children mature and grow as both individuals and as members of a community; it was very evident they were receiving a comprehensive education whilst learning to contribute to society with purpose. Impressively, the school has a magical diversity whilst retaining an absolute identity; the spirit of Kurt Hahn lives on in word and deed with a focus on Internationalism, Challenge, Responsibility and Service.

For me the school delivers a top level education without constraining the broader development of the individual from child to young adult; the students gain a sense of value, are honed in the importance of responsibility and encouraged at every turn to embrace the ambition to learn. There is something for everyone at Gordonstoun – the environment, curriculum and pastoral care affords every child’s talent to be nurtured. Parent Admissions & Fees We do not hold Open Days as we like to tailor-make your visit and spend as much time with you as you wish. You are welcome to visit Gordonstoun at any time of the year and on any day apart from Sunday; you just need to arrange a mutually convenient time with us. We are happy to: arrange and co-ordinate your travel plans; meet the cost of transfers to and from Aberdeen or Inverness; and meet the cost of overnight bed and breakfast accommodation for one evening. If you are interested in visiting us, please contact Ann Hawksley , our Admissions Secretary, who will make all of the necessary arrangements. Aberdeen Airport is around 1½ hours from the School and Inverness Airport around 45 minutes. Both airports are served by all the major and many budget airlines.

For more information on how to get to Gordonstoun: Flights to Gordonstoun Gordonstoun operates a policy of open access, committed to educating young people regardless of nationality, background or financial resources. If you wish to discuss any aspect of admissions, please contact Chris Barton, Director of Admissions on +44 (0)1343 837829. Boarding fees per term Gordonstoun School | school, Scotland, United Kingdom | Britannica.com Gordonstoun School THIS IS A DIRECTORY PAGE. Britannica does not currently have an article on this topic. Learn about this topic in these articles: in Elgin (Scotland, United Kingdom) Elgin now serves as an educational and market centre for a wide area. Its industries include whisky distilling and wool milling. The internationally famous Gordonstoun School, an independent boarding school founded in 1934 by the German educator Kurt Hahn, lies 6 miles (10 km) to the north. Elgin is the historic county town (seat) and administrative centre of Moray. Pop. (2004 est.) 20,580.

Gordonstoun School: Overview of Gordonstoun School Add Comment Gordonstoun School Gordonstoun is a famous independent boarding school occupying a fine A-listed mansion set in extensive parkland, ¾ mile (1.3 km) east of Duffus and 3 miles (5 km) west southwest of Lossiemouth in Moray . It was founded as an international school in 1934 by innovative educator Dr. Kurt Hahn (1886 - 1974), who had fled Nazi Germany the previous year. Hahn had established the Schule Schloss Salem in Germany and created Gordonstoun along similar lines, based on principles of self-discipline, challenge, community, service to others and compassion. Drawing influence from Ancient Greece, the school places great emphasis on discipline and physical education. The unusual mansion comprises a three-storey central block with two-storey wings, built in the 17th century. The north front is in ashlar, with a fine door-piece featuring paired Corinthian columns which support a decorated pediment. The wings project slightly to the south and feature sweeping slate roofs and bartizans on the outer corners.

This land was once the property of the Ogstons, but was bought by the Innes family in 1473. In the 16th century, they built the tower house which forms the well-hidden core of the present mansion. Sir Robert Gordon (1580 - 1656) acquired the property and extended it in 1616, erecting the Barony of Gordonstoun in 1642. The house was remodelled in 1730 and given its fine Classical north front in 1775. The estate passed to the Cummings of Altyre in 1795 and it was this family who initially rented the house to Hahn in 1934 and then sold the entire estate to him after World War II. Further alterations were made following a fire in 1940, while the house was commandeered by the army and the School was evacuated to Wales. The school roll has grown steadily from two boys in its first year and has been co-educational since 1972.

The junior school now has 130 pupils, having moved here from its original base at Aberlour (Speyside) in 2004. This is the only independent boarding school in the north of Scotland for children aged 8 to 13. There are 450 students in the senior school. Unusually, the school provides a fire, coastguard and lifeguard service for the local area, and assists with mountain rescue, all part of Hahn 's vision of community involvement. There is a fire station equipped with two fire engines within the school grounds. Sport is an important part of the broad curriculum offered. Gordonstoun provides playing fields, tennis courts, a 400m running track and a sports centre, which houses a swimming pool, rock climbing wall, gym, squash courts and an indoor sports hall. The boarding houses are named Cumming , Altyre, Duffus , Bruce, Gordonstoun (located within the mansion itself), Round Square (within Gordon 's immense circular stable block, now A-listed), Hopeman , Plewlands and Windmill Lodge. The latter three are now designated for girls, while Altyre is mixed.

The Gordonstoun International Summer School has operated since 1976 to give a taste of the school's ethos. Gordonstoun registered its own tartan in 1956, based on Hunting Cumming . Prince Philip of Greece, later the Duke of Edinburgh and British Royal Consort, followed Hahn from Salem to Gordonstoun, completing his education here in 1939. The Royal Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward all attended Gordonstoun, as did the children of HRH the Princess Royal, although Prince Charles reportedly did not enjoy his time here. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, instituted in 1954, borrowed from the school's outward-bound, volunteering and expeditionary ethos. Other former pupils include the cartographer John C. Bartholomew (1923 - 2008), the folk musician Roy Williamson (1936-90), author William Boyd (b.1952) and actor Jason Connery (b.1963), the son of Sir Sean Connery . Within the grounds are two churches; the modern St. Christopher's Chapel and the Michael Kirk, which was the original estate church.

There is also a fine example of a beehive doocot dating from c.1600 and now B-listed. Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry If you have found this information useful please consider making a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info... Gordonstoun, Everything You Need to Know | Educators.co.uk Mr S H C Reid HMIE Reports Click to share this page with others! Child Moving School? Nobody likes being the new kid at school, it is a tough transition and has a huge emotional impact. This critically acclaimed book ensures your child switches school without social or academic issues. Read More... Institution Overview Gordonstoun is a co-educational independent boarding school located in Elgin, Scotland. Kurt Hahn, who is at the origin of the Duke of Edinburgh awards and the united world colleges, founded it in 1934. Gordonstoun has many notable alumni. Indeed, three previous generations of British royalty were educated in its locals, making it not only a top quality educational establishment but an institution of prestige. Religious Ethos – None The school prides itself on its internationalism, challenging education, responsibility and service.

However it is also known for its academic records, and the sense of belonging and purpose that it gives to its pupils. Gordonstoun strongly believes in the qualities of its international environment and its benefits, developing flexibility, responsibility, compassion and sociability among its pupils. The school is very well staffed with an approximate number of 120 employed individuals and 600 students. Its principal Simon H C Reid believes in the uniqueness of Gordonstoun and its ability to help its pupils become happy and successful individuals in life. Gordounston offers its pupils a wide range of subjects, allowing them to develop their identities in a challenging, yet warm and friendly environment. A-level subjects include art, craft and design, Biology, business studies, chemistry, classical civilisation, computer sciences, classical Greek, design and technology, drama and theatre studies, economics, English language, English literature, geography, history, Latin, media studies, modern languages such as French German and Spanish, music, physical education, BTEC extended certificate 360 sport, dance, photography, music technology, GSCE English and GSCE maths.

Notable Subjects Taught On top of the expected core subject areas which are taught in most schools the following notable subject areas are provided: Classical Civilisation Download Your Free Copy Now Extra-curricular Activities A wide range of Extra-curricular activities are available at Gordonstoun. Such as rugby, football, cricket, indoor climbing, 400 metre running, indoor swimming, golf, squash, music, drama, dance, local community services, expeditions, sail training, adventure activities, house captains, heads of services and sports captain posts. All these activities teach Gordonstoun’s pupils to develop their self-esteem, creativity, tenacity and capacity of resilience and adaptability. Grounds and Facilities Gordonstoun’s facilities include boarding rooms shared by a maximum of seven pupils, a refectory with a large variety of healthy foods. Snacks and refreshments are also available mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Part of the school’s ethos is to make sure that pupil’s are developed in all aspects of life and that includes nutrition and a balanced lifestyle. The facilities in Gordonstoun include classrooms, science laboratories, IT resources, a library, assembly hall, recreation rooms and changing rooms.

Pupils also have access to facilities such as climbing wall, floodlit AstroTurf, a rifle range, squash courts, a sports centre and a swimming pool. More information on Scholarships & Bursaries Gordonstoun is committed to providing an excellent education to pupils regardless of their nationality, background or financial resources. The school provides competitive scholarships awarded to pupils who are successful in assessments, interviews and an examination. The scholarships are available at junior school level, lower school level and sixth form level. Up to 10% may be awarded purely on academic merit. Nonetheless, additional fee reductions can be given based on financial needs. Entitlement to scholarship continuation depends on demonstrations of academic progress. Gordonstoun has designated funds providing scolarships for children in particular circumstances such as: -Children of currently serving Royal Navy or Merchant Navy personal -Children resident in Perthshire, mid-wales, the channel islands and Kenya -Children of fishing families form the former country of Banff. Applications must be completed and submitted for review. Gordonstoun is determined to help, however, available funds are limited and a successful application is not always guaranteed.

Open Days for Parents Each year in August, Gourdonstoun hosts a taster weekend for prospective students and their parents to explore the boarding school and get a clear vision of everything the school has to offer. The visit will allow prospective students to familiarise themselves with the school, but also spend the night in one the boarding houses and explore the facilities. The taster weekend programme include activities such as: – Canoeing in the pool Gordonstoun Entrance & Admissions Information Head: Simon Reid Attended by both Prince Phillip and Prince Charles, Gordonstoun is a co-ed boarding school near Elgin in northern Scotland, currently home to around 600 pupils. Located only a mile from the North Sea, there is a lot of sailing on offer. It was founded in 1934 by Kurt Hahn, a German teacher who was fleeing persecution after being arrested for speaking out against Nazi rule in Germany. The school was based on his “Salem system”, with heavy focus on internationalism, service, responsibility and outdoor pursuits. It maintains this legacy by belonging to the Round Square association, a group of 60 schools worldwide based on Hahn’s philosophy. (The group is named after a building on the Gordonstoun campus).

Students follow the Scottish curriculum in the lower school before switching to the English system in the upper school, studying GCSEs and A-Levels. Gordonstoun Admissions Procedure: Junior School: The Junior School runs from 8 to 13. The school will “accept applications from pupils to enter the Junior School at any stage, places permitting”. (Be aware that they start in Year 4, and not Year 3 like most Prep schools in England). You can register online here (opens in new window) . Senior School: Admission to Year 9: The Senior School runs from 13 to 18. You can avoid the registration fee and register online here (opens in seperate window) . Admissions to the Senior School are usually via Common Entrance papers. The school has a seperate scholarship exam, and also a seperate paper for pupils not currently attending Prep schools. Students will also need to undergo an interview and provide a satisfactory reference from the pupil’s current school. Admission to Year 12: Gordonstoun admits about 60 students per year into Year 12. Admission is either by a scholarship exam or an interview and report from the current school.

Admissions are offered conditionally on students achieving a minimum of five GCSEs at grade “C” or higher. Gordonstoun Scholarships and Bursaries Gordonstoun : definition of Gordonstoun and synonyms of Gordonstoun (English) Coordinates : 57°42′15″N 3°22′18″W﻿ / ﻿57.704167°N 3.371667°W﻿ / 57.704167; -3.371667 Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray , Scotland. Named after the 150-acre (61 ha) estate originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 17th century, the school now uses this estate as its campus. It is located near Duffus to the north-west of Elgin . [1] Founded in 1934 by German educator Kurt Hahn , Gordonstoun has an enrolment of around 500 full boarders as well as about 100 day pupils between the ages of 8 and 18.

[2] With the number of teaching staff exceeding 100 there is a low student-teacher ratio compared to the average in the United Kingdom. [3] There are nine boarding houses, including three 17th century buildings that were part of the original estate; the other houses have been built or modified since the school was established. Gordonstoun has many notable alumni. [4] Three previous generations of British royalty were educated at Gordonstoun since its establishment including the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales . [5] Due to Dr. Hahn's influence the school has a strong connection with Germany and forms part of the Round Square Conference of Schools , a group of over 60 schools across the globe also founded by Hahn. Around 30% of students attending Gordonstoun come from abroad. [6] Contents 14 External links History Gordonstoun was established in 1934 by Kurt Hahn after being asked by friends to give a demonstration in the UK of his "Salem system". [7] He was born in Berlin in 1886 and studied at the University of Oxford .

[8] After reading Plato's The Republic as a young man, he conceived the idea of a modern school and with the help of Prince Max of Baden he set up the Schule Schloss Salem in 1919. [9] After the First World War , both men decided that education was key in influencing the future and so Salem was built in order to make leaders of the community out of its pupils. By the 1930s it had already become a very renowned school throughout the whole of Europe. In 1932 Hahn spoke out against the Nazis and was arrested in March 1933. He was released and was exiled to Britain in the same year through the influence of the Prime Minister , Ramsey MacDonald , who was familiar with Hahn's work. [10] It was then that he decided to start a new school in Morayshire. [11] Gordonstoun started in a small way and had financial difficulties. Hahn's offer for the lease was accepted on 14 March 1934 [12] but the buildings were in need of much repair and at the start of the first academic year there were only two pupils.

[13] It had been decided that Gordonstoun would only last a few years and was only to serve as an example of what Hahn's vision entailed. The number of pupils steadily increased and some additional pupils transferred from Salem, including Prince Philip of Greece, now the Duke of Edinburgh. By the start of the Second World War 135 boys were attending. [14] In June 1940 the school was evacuated and the Gordonstoun estate was taken over by the army for use as barracks. A temporary home was found for the school in Montgomeryshire in Mid Wales [11] when Lord Davies, a parent of two of the pupils, allowed the school to use one of his houses there. The buildings were insufficient and finances and pupil numbers began to drop. The school survived the war, pupil numbers grew and the school became well known throughout Wales and the Midlands . [15] Once the war had ended the school was able to return to the Gordonstoun estate. [16] By the end of the 1940s the school achieved its primary target of 250 pupils and continued growing in size.

[17] It managed to build more boarding houses on the estate, removing the need of a house in Altyre, Forres , many miles away from the main campus. Gordonstoun also continued in its growth in education. Schemes were set up to allow poorer children from the surrounding areas to attend, as well as deepening the outward bound activities, which were central to Hahn's system. [18] Skills in mountaineering and seamanship were always taught at the school but the introduction of the Moray Badge, from which the Duke of Edinburgh's Award was borrowed, expanded this. [19] Gordonstoun House as seen from the South Lawn From the 1950s onwards, with the foundations of the school firmly set, more focus was put into improving the facilities and expanding the curriculum.

[20] Major changes since then include: the founding of Round Square in 1966, [6] an international community of schools sharing Hahn's educational ideals; the school officially becoming co-educational in 1972; [21] and the moving of Aberlour House, Gordonstoun's preparatory school, from Speyside to a purpose built Junior School a[›] on campus in 2004. [22] Ethos In the beginning Hahn blended a traditional private school ethos, modelled on Eton and his experiences at Oxford, with a philosophy inspired by Plato’s The Republic and other aspects of ancient Greek history. [23] This is seen in the title "Guardian", denoting the head boy and girl, the adoption of a Greek trireme as the school's emblem, and a routine that could be described as Spartan. There is a high emphasis on military discipline and physical education, particularly outdoor activities such as seamanship and mountaineering.

The school has had a reputation for harsh conditions, with cold showers and morning runs as a matter of routine, and physical punishments, known as "penalty drill" or PD, in the form of supervised runs around one's house (dormitory) or the south lawn of Gordonstoun House (pictured). [24] Physical education and challenging outdoor activities are still practised, but cold showers and punishment runs are now, reportedly, a thing of the past. [25] The school defines its ethos by 'Four Pillars’ of education [26] with each pillar representing a part of the whole curriculum. These are: Service [27] Hahn believed that “The Platonic view of education is that a nation must do all it can to make the individual citizen discover his own power and further more that the individual becomes a cripple in his or her point of view if he is not qualified by education to serve the community.” [29] The idea of service at the school is thought to encourage students to gain a feeling of responsibility to aid other people and is implemented in creating an array of services that every student becomes apart of (see below ).

Gordonstoun offers a series of grants, drawing on its investments and other funds from which the school can draw upon in order to support pupils who are unable to pay the full fees. [30] In the academic year 2009/10 the school is providing financial support for 163 pupils including 11 with 100% fee coverage and 95 with 50% fee reduction. [31] In order to make this easier the school is now a registered charity : Scottish charity number SC037867. [32] Gordonstoun Schools Along with the main school two other schools form part of the greater Gordonstoun community. [17] These are Gordonstoun's preparatory school , Aberlour House, and a summer school that serves to promote the school outside of the academic year. Aberlour House The first preparatory school was founded in 1936 at Wester Elchies and unlike Gordonstoun, was not made to move during the war.

At the start of the war there were 40 boys and girls attending and these numbers increased to the point that a second school was opened at Aberlour House in 1947 [22] by which time nearly 100 pupils were attending. [14] Wester Elchies was pulled down in the early 1960s because of dilapidation. The prep school continued with just Aberlour but even so there were always problems with the 20 miles (32 km) that separated the main Gordonstoun campus and the school. In 2004 this was amended with the construction of a purpose built prep school on the main campus. [22] Presently Aberlour House has approximately 115 pupils between the ages of 8 and 13 attending. [33] Although they form part of the same institution, going to Aberlour is not a prerequisite of going to Gordonstoun and neither is it enforced that pupils at Aberlour House continue on into Gordonstoun. [22] Even so, they are both obviously very close, sharing the same school song, school flag and the same motto .

[33] Gordonstoun International Summer School The summer school was started in 1976 and has catered to over 7,000 pupils since then. [34] It opens for a four week period every summer with the aim of giving a taste of the Gordonstoun ethos. Although for the most part the priority is adventure, sports and creative arts, the school also teaches courses in English. Around 250 children from all over the world, from the age of 8 to 16, attend each year. [35] Academic curriculum Entrance to Gordonstoun requires the pupil to pass a Common Entrance Examination . In the Junior School (ages 8–13), pupils study a range of courses and follow the Scottish education system . In the Senior School (ages 13+) the pupils complete a year's foundation course and then enter into the English education system by starting a two year GCSE course followed by a two year A Level course. [27] Gordonstoun offers 21 GCSE courses, 27 AS Level courses and 21 A Level courses including specialised subjects such as Dance, Classical Studies and Further Mathematics .

[30] The 2009 HMIE inspection [36] evaluated Gordonstoun as being 'Excellent' in their curriculum. Suitable pupils are prepared for Oxbridge applications as well as SAT entrance for universities in the United States. [37] 96% of pupils proceed to higher education with 79% going to British universities and 17% to universities abroad. Of those who do not go on to further education many take gap years or join the armed forces. [30] Arts The Music Department is one of the largest departments in the school with music as a subject being taught up to A Level standard. [37] The department has many facilities at its disposal: aside from the standard practice/teaching rooms it also has two large rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, drum studio and a computer cluster. [38] 40% of students learn an instrument. The Drama Department hosts plays, musicals and productions all year round, some of them taking place in the main chapel but most in the drama theatre which has a capacity for an audience of 200.

[39] Theatre Studies is taught as a subject up to A Level standard and Dance to GCSE standard, [37] Gordonstoun being the only school in Scotland where dance is taught as part of the academic curriculum. [40] In addition to having visits from professional touring companies to teach pupils, performances by the pupils themselves take place frequently at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and at local schools. [41] The school sets up festivals of its own to showcase the work of the pupils in both drama and dance, and even the staff produce their own play at the end of each year for the enjoyment of the pupils. Like the Music Department, the Drama Department also puts on performances abroad most recently in their tour of the US. [30] Activities Gordonstoun pupils take a rest whilst on expedition in the Cairngorms Every day, apart from Sundays, activities take place after classes have finished. All pupils are required to partake in an activity but are free to choose what activities they do. At the beginning of the term pupils can decide which ones they do on what days from the available list. Some activities are only available at certain points in the year such as cricket in the summer term.

During heavy exam periods activities become optional but usually only for senior years pupils. Sports In the beginning Hahn expressed his view that at many schools ball games had been given precedence over other activities and so, to start with, more focus was placed on seamanship and practical work than the playing of games. Due to this, competitive matches did not start until 1935 when Gordonstoun played and won its first rugby match against Grantown Academy. [42] Even so the school was still in its infancy and there were no designated fields on which to play with conditions being so bad that during pre-match, half-time and post match, players would clear as many pebbles off the field of play as possible. [42] 1935 saw Gordonstoun's cricket team win two, lose two and draw one.

[43] Kurt Hahn set up the field hockey team personally with Prince Philip humorously recounting a game against Elgin Academy 's Ladies team and saying that he "...hoped that soon we shall be among the best Scottish girls' teams." [42] Today there are playing fields for rugby, football and cricket as well as an outdoor field hockey AstroTurf , outdoor tennis courts and a 400m running track. Apart from these outdoor pitches there is also a large sports centre with facilities that include a rock climbing wall, a 25m swimming pool, a weights room, squash courts and an indoor activity hall for basketball , badminton and netball . [39] Popular sports such as football , rugby union , netball and cricket produce teams that frequently compete with other schools and adult clubs, locally as well as from across Scotland: in Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh . These teams engage in international tours too with the most recent trips being to Dubai , South Africa and the West Indies . [41] Aside from these more traditional sports there is also the opportunity to participate in karate , equestrianism, skiing, .22 rifle shooting and clay pigeon shooting, athletics , golf and many others.

Clubs also form part of the activities list which is made up of cooking, debating, astronomy and film. [30] Football The 1st XI b[›] participate in four different competitions. The main competition is the County Schools League where Gordonstoun plays along side nine other schools in a league system with the chance of promotion/relegation at the end of the season. The other three are Scottish Cup, North of Scotland Cup and the Scottish Independent Schools Cup where Gordonstoun plays with a mixture of independent and state schools . [44] Service Service to the community forms part of Gordonstoun's ethos and takes place every Wednesday. The school has created a number of different services, each service dedicated to a certain cause. Caring for members of the local area and the environment is done by the Community Service. The other services provide rescue or emergency assistance. The Community Service permits pupils to help in the local area, spending time visiting retirement homes, and nursery schools including visits to those with physical or mental disabilities. A lot of work is also done with established groups by helping PDSA and Oxfam charity shops. Members of other services can also join the Community Service as a second service.

[45] The other services work to help in emergency situations such as search and rescue and will train in different skills depending on what they do. In general this involves training in first aid , navigation , search techniques and use of VHF radios. All will require that pupils pass certain nationally recognised awards. Coastguards, Lifeguards, Canoe Lifeguards and the Special Boat Service assist the local authorities and community in and around the water. The Coastguards was the first service set up by the school in March 1935 and a log cabin was built soon after on the cliff tops. [46] The watchtower is still used but the service now also has a 4x4 and attend about 3 or 4 rescues per term. The Lifeguards train through practical and theoretical lessons to meet standards set by the RLSS so they can help invigilate the swimming pool. The Canoe Lifeguards train in local rivers and in the North Sea in order to attain various British Canoe Union awards and the SBS possess RIBs powered by outboard motors as well as small sailing craft to teach pupils boat handling and maintenance.

[45] The Mountain Rescue Unit and the Nordic Ski Patrol services assist in operations in the nearby Highlands . The MR service undertake an extra two expeditions each term to develop skills with practice also taking place on the school climbing wall. Ski Patrol practice whenever possible in season but can also use the artificial track at Huntly with the eventual exam to become part of the British Association of Snowsport Instructors . [45] The school's fire service works closely with the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and have a fire station on campus with two fire-fighting appliances at their disposal. It was started in 1940 while the school was based in Wales and they acquired an appliance soon after. [47] They attend roughly fifty call-outs a year and so members have to be medically and physically fit, training in order to pass the practical test before becoming fire fighters. The team is split into three watches lasting a week each and are on call 24 hours a day having to carry pagers and react quickly should they be called. [21] The Duke of Edinburgh's Award was started as Gordonstoun and takes many aspects of its requirements from the four pillars of education.

Because of this many pupils will use their participation in a service to help attain the award. [48] Seamanship Gordonstoun School's yacht: The Ocean Spirit of Moray under sail in the Irish Sea. Seamanship has been a main part of the curriculum since the school began. The first voyage of note was in a cutter from Hopeman to Dornoch in June 1935, a distance of 25 miles (40 km). [49] Pupils still train in cutters from the age of 13 upward at Hopeman Harbour to prepare for a voyage in the school's 80 ft (24 m) sailing vessel. Most excursions take a week sailing off the West Coast of Scotland, but the school also enters into the Tall Ships' Races annually which allows pupils to take part in an international competition in European waters lasting up to a month. [50] Expeditions All pupils partake in expeditions during their time at Gordonstoun, lasting from a day to a week. The location of the school allows for the pupils to be exposed to an array of different terrains.

The Cairngorms are only a short drive away and provide opportunities to engage in camping, orienteering and learning survival techniques. Training is given to the pupils throughout their time at the school and they are tested with progressively harder situations. In lower years they begin with expeditions that are accompanied by staff and in later years with an unaccompanied expedition where pupils will have to plan and prepare for the trip themselves. Expeditions can also take place at nearby lakes and rivers for canoeing trips and also hills and forests for mountain biking. [51] Prefects In the lower school, ages 13 to 16, a boy and a girl in sixth form (ages 16 to 18) are elected to be Captains of the lower school. They provide liaison between teachers and pupils so that any concerns can be rectified. Other roles they partake in can include organisation of inter-house activities, charitable events and the lower school social ("social" refers to social event or party). [52] In the Upper School, ages 16 to 18, responsibility is available through a hierarchy of positions. [30] This starts with Captains of Sports, Service and House.

In the case of Captains, no peer voting takes place but rather a pupil is elected by the Head of the respective department. This way it is not uncommon for some people to be re-elected as Captain for multiple terms depending on whether or not anybody else of suitable stance is available. Captains of Sport such as the Football or Rugby Captain are chosen by the Head of that sport and will help the Head organise teams for practice and preparation off the field of play as well as on it. Similarly Captains of Service will aid the Head of Service organise training sessions and be a point of contact for the rest of the members. [52] Captains of House are slightly different though in that they play a more personal role for pupils who want to voice problems with conditions within the house and this often means that House Captains have a lot more pupils to be responsible for. This difference is more evident in their original title of 'Helper'. [53] They tend to be in close contact with the House Master so that any issues requiring immediate attention can be sorted out as well as being able to relay any general ideas or concerns in the House Captains' Council which meet once every two weeks.

At the meeting a teacher is present and minutes are taken so that they can be passed onto the Colour Bearers (CBs). Colour Bearers get their name from a band of purple they wear as insignia on their uniform, purple being one of the school colours. They are elected by the pupils and the staff, similar to Eton 's Pop, [54] and have important roles in the school community as a whole. [55] Unlike captains they keep their positions for a whole year unless they are demoted which is usually the punishment for untoward behaviour. They meet every week with the Headmaster to attend to a wide range of school matters. As well as this they are responsible for maintaining the refectory and the library and for serving drinks behind the bar at the weekly socials in addition to organising major school wide events that take place throughout the year. [52] From the CBs a boy and a girl are chosen to be Guardians for the academic term. These are the Head Pupils for the entire school and only normally 6 people a year are allowed to have this position. The term Guardian comes from the name of the supportive rulers of Plato 's ideal state.

[56] Like the staff they are closely involved in the management and wellbeing of the school. Boarding houses There are nine boarding houses spread throughout the campus. During a pupil's time at Gordonstoun they will always belong to the same house. The pupil houses have TVs and a common room in which pupils from all houses can relax. Small kitchenettes are also available, normally with only limited appliances such as a kettle, microwave, fridge and toaster. The houses are run by a small team of teachers. The House Master (HM) has overall responsibility and is helped by the Assistant House Master (AHM). Either or both of these will be present at the daily house meeting and will oversee homework c[›] to make sure pupils are studying. The HM will organise any special house events, decide who the house captain will be for the term as well as choosing a captain to take care of other house related goings on. The HM is also the person who most pupils would talk to if they had a problem although all teachers are available for help. Both the HM and the AHM normally have residences within the houses and so are very much part of the house.

Each house has a matron who helps the pupils through their daily routine as well as a tutor to help the pupils in their studies. [57] The year a pupil is in, and the amount of rooms in the house decides which pupils are allowed a room of their own, although it is normally decided that younger years share whilst senior pupils get their own rooms. All pupils rotate rooms each term. The houses are: Altyre House (sixth-form only house from September 2011. Previously co-ed) Bruce House Gordonstoun House (sixth-form only) (G-House) Round Square Some houses will go on house expeditions and there are many inter-house competitions that take place in the year. These competitions vary a lot in nature. For the most part the most common are sports like Basketball and Football or simply a Tug of War. [58] Old Gordonstounians For OGs there is the Gordonstoun Association which aims to promote and strengthen links between former pupils of the school and between former pupils and the school itself. The patron of the GA is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Royal connections During the 1960s Prince Charles attended the school on the recommendation of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had been one of the first pupils to attend Gordonstoun, having previously been educated at Salem in Germany. Prince Charles did not enjoy the regime which he later characterised as " Colditz in kilts ". [59] Princes Andrew and Edward followed in their father's and elder brother's footsteps. Of the four princes, three (Philip, Charles and Edward) were appointed Guardian (prefect) during their time at the school. [60] Princess Anne , the Queen's only other remaining child, was not educated at Gordonstoun, which at that time was for boys only, but she sent her two children there and also served for some time on the school's board of governors. [61] She is currently a Warden of the school. [62] Other OGs Other OGs are listed in Category:People educated at Gordonstoun . Gordonstoun also has a notable fictional alumna, the heroine of Tomb Raider , Lara Croft was supposed to have attended the school in sixth year, and has also been used to advertise it.

[65] [66] See also Broneirion , Gordonstoun's home during World War II Notes ^ a: Gordonstoun has different names for different segments of the school. The Junior School refers to the prep school, Aberlour House (ages 8 to 13), and the Senior School refers to Gordonstoun itself (ages 13-18). In addition to this, the Senior School is then split in to two other segments, the Lower School (ages 13 to 16) and the Upper School (ages 16 to 18) ^ b: In sports like football and cricket there are 11 players, and so the best team is often referred to as the First XI . Other sports have the same term, rugby union have the 1st XV etc. ^ c: Prep is a British boarding school term meaning homework. It comes from the term preparatory work as in work done in preparation for the next lesson.

Question: Who founded Gordonstoun Boarding School in 1934?
Answer: Kurt Hahn